WO2016041706A1

WO2016041706A1 - Track rod or steering rod for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2016041706A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/068623
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Adler
Original assignee: Zf Friedrichshafen Ag
Priority date: 2014-09-15
Filing date: 2015-08-13
Publication date: 2016-03-24
Also published as: EP3194248A1; DE102014218432A1; EP3194248B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a track rod or a steering rod for a vehicle, comprising: a tube (2) which has, in a tube end region (3) that extends in an axial direction (x), an inner thread (7) turning in a first rotational direction and at least one slot (4) extending in the axial direction (x); an adjustment sleeve (8) that is screwed into said tube end region (3) of the tube (2), that extends out of same with an actuation region (16), and that comprises an inner thread (10) turning in a second rotational direction counter to said first rotational direction as well as at least one slot (18) extending in the axial direction (x), said slot being at least partially arranged in the tube (2); a joint (14) which comprises an axial shaft (11) and is screwed by means of this shaft into the adjustment sleeve (8) such that rotating said adjustment sleeve (8) relative to the tube (2) and to the shaft (11) allows the tube (2) to be moved axially relative to the joint (14) for adjustment purposes; and a clamping means (23) which acts upon the tube end region (3) and by means of which said tube end region (3) is pressed against the outer circumference of the shaft (11) with the adjustment sleeve (8) positioned between the two such that said tube (2), adjustment sleeve (8) and shaft (11) are fixed in place relative to one another, the slot (18) of said adjustment sleeve (8) extending in the axial direction (x) in a meander-shaped or sinusoidal manner and being open at the slot axial end that faces away from the actuation region (16).

Description

Track or handlebar for a vehicle

The invention relates to a track or handlebar for a vehicle, having a tube which has in a extending in an axial direction Rohrendbereich a common in a first direction of rotation internal thread and at least one axially extending slot, a screwed into the pipe end of the tube and out of this with an actuation area

extending adjusting sleeve which has a common in one of the first direction of rotation opposite second direction internal thread and at least one axially extending slot which is at least partially disposed in the tube, a joint having an axial shaft and with this in the

Justierhülse is screwed, so that by rotating the adjusting sleeve relative to the tube and to the shaft axial adjustment of the tube is made possible relative to the joint, and pressed at the Rohrendbereich clamping means, by means of which the Rohrendbereich pressed with the interposition of the adjusting sleeve against the outer periphery of the shaft is, so that the tube, the adjusting sleeve and the shaft are fixed relative to each other in their position.

EP 1 062 144 B1 discloses a track rod for motor vehicles with a

at least one side provided with a common in a first direction of rotation internal thread, at least partially slotted tube, in the end one

Adjusting sleeve is screwed, wherein in the adjustment sleeve over a to the first

Direction of rotation opposite common internal thread a ball joint housing shaft of an end present on the track rod ball joint is screwed and an axial adjustment of the tube relative to the ball joint is made possible via an integrally formed on the adjusting key surface key, and the Justierhülse

has at least one slot and fixed on the outer surface of the tube clamp the components against each other fixed in position, said slot referred to as a dip slot and is bounded on both sides, so that the

Key surface forms a self-contained surface. In such a tie rod, the problem may arise that the clamping forces are insufficiently transmitted to the ball joint housing shaft, so that the screw connection between the adjusting sleeve and ball joint housing shaft can solve. This is on the one hand to the diving slot, since its closed ends a

Complicate compression of the slot. On the other hand, it may be the case that the axial slot of the tube covers the axial slot of the adjusting sleeve completely or over a large area. This too can lead to a poor transmission of the clamping forces.

Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to be able to avoid an insufficient transmission of the clamping force applied by the clamping means in a track or handlebar of the type mentioned.

This object is achieved with a track or handlebar according to claim 1.

Preferred developments of the track or handlebar are given in the subclaims and in the following description.

The lane or handlebar for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises a tube which has a female thread common in a first direction of rotation and one or at least one slot extending in the axial direction in a pipe end region extending in an axial direction, one into the pipe end region of the Pipe screwed and extending out of this with an actuating portion Justierhülse having a common in one of the first direction of rotation opposite direction of rotation internal thread and one or at least one extending slot in the axial direction, which is at least partially disposed in the tube, a joint which having an axial shaft and is screwed with this in the Justierhülse, so that by rotating the adjusting sleeve relative to the tube and to the shaft an axial adjustment movement of the tube is made possible relative to the joint, and an attacking at Rohrendbereich clamping means, with tels which the Rohrendbereich is pressed with the interposition of the adjusting sleeve against the outer periphery of the shaft, so that the tube, the adjusting sleeve and the shaft relative to each other in their position, in particular force or frictional, are fixed, the slot of the adjusting sleeve in the axial direction meandering or sinusoidal and is open at its axial end facing away from the actuation region. The fact that the slot of the adjusting sleeve in the axial direction meandering or sinusoidal, the slot of the adjusting sleeve of the slot of the

Rohrendbereichs not or only partially covered. Thus, a better transfer of the clamping force applied by the clamping means can be achieved. Furthermore, the slot of the adjusting sleeve is at least at its the

Actuation area facing away from the axial end open. This also makes it possible to achieve a better transfer of the clamping force applied by the clamping means. The course and / or the shape of the slot of the pipe end region differs in particular from the course of the slot of the adjustment sleeve. Preferably, the slot of the Rohrendbereichs in the axial direction is straight or approximately straight.

The slot of the adjusting sleeve preferably has arcuate sections, which lie in succession in particular in the axial direction. Preferably, two immediately adjacent arcuate portions are curved opposite each other.

According to a further development, at least one arcuate section or one of the arcuate sections of the slot of the adjustment sleeve covers at least one eighth, one quarter or half of the circumference of the adjustment sleeve. Prefers

at least two arcuate sections adjacent or lying one behind the other in the axial direction, or at least two arcuate sections of the slot of the adjusting sleeve adjacent one another in the axial direction or one behind the other and arcuately curved in each case, cover at least one eighth, one quarter or half of the circumference of the adjusting sleeve adjustment sleeve. Preferably, the slot of the adjusting sleeve covers at least a quarter or an eighth of the circumference of the adjusting sleeve or the entire circumference of the adjusting sleeve. In this way it can be achieved that a not inconsiderable part of the slot of the adjusting sleeve has a greater distance from the slot of the pipe end region, which has a positive effect on the transmission of the clamping force applied by the clamping means.

Advantageously, the slot of the adjusting sleeve passes through the wall of the adjusting sleeve.

This is to be understood in particular that the slot of the adjusting sleeve in radial direction through the wall of the adjusting sleeve extends therethrough. This facilitates compression of the slot of the adjusting sleeve due to the clamping force applied by the clamping means.

By "radial" or "radial direction" is meant in particular one or any direction which is transverse or approximately transverse to the axial direction.

The adjusting sleeve is associated in particular with a central longitudinal axis extending in the axial direction. Advantageously, the central longitudinal axis of the adjusting sleeve also forms a

Central longitudinal axis of the pipe end region and / or the shaft.

The first direction of rotation preferably relates to the central longitudinal axis of the adjusting sleeve and / or to the central longitudinal axis of the adjusting sleeve as an axis of rotation and / or to a rotation about the central longitudinal axis of the adjusting sleeve. The second direction of rotation preferably relates to the central longitudinal axis of the adjusting sleeve and / or to the central longitudinal axis of the adjusting sleeve as an axis of rotation and / or to a rotation about the central longitudinal axis of the adjusting sleeve. Preferably, one of the two internal threads is a right-hand thread, wherein the other of the two internal threads is preferably a left-hand thread.

For example, the internal thread of the Rohrendbereichs is a right-hand thread, wherein the internal thread of the Justierhülse example. is a left-hand thread. Alternatively, that is

Internal thread of the pipe end region, e.g. a left-hand thread, wherein the internal thread of the adjusting sleeve, e.g. is a right-hand thread.

The slot of the adjusting sleeve is open at its axial end remote from the actuating region. Since this end is located in the tube, the slot of the adjustment sleeve is open at its axial end located in the tube. According to a first variant, the slot of the adjusting sleeve is also open at its other axial end, so that the slot of the adjusting sleeve is open at its two axial ends. Although this results in a very good transfer of the clamping force applied by the clamping means, however, there is the problem that the adjusting sleeve in the region of its lying outside the tube axial slot end

changing bending stresses of the shaft relative to the tube in the

intended operation of the track or handlebar can leverage. According to a second variant, the slot of the adjusting sleeve is therefore at his Operating area facing axial end closed. In particular, the slot of the adjustment sleeve does not extend through the actuation area. This gives the adjusting sleeve in its lying outside the tube end more stability and thus counteracts the aforementioned prying.

According to one embodiment, the adjustment sleeve has a non-circular key surface on its actuating region. On the wrench surface, in particular, a tool, preferably a form-fitting attack, by means of which the adjusting sleeve with dissolved clamping means for achieving the axial adjustment movement relative to the shaft and to the tube is rotatable. The key area is e.g. polygonal. The tool is, for example, an open-end wrench.

The tube may have only one slot in its Rohrendbereich. Preferably, however, the tube has several, for example three, slots in its tube end region. The course and / or the shape of each slot of the pipe end region differs in particular from the course of the slot of the adjustment sleeve. Preferably, the slots of the pipe end region each extend straight or approximately straight in the axial direction. Advantageously, the slots of the pipe end region are around

separate slots. In particular, the slots are arranged distributed uniformly over the circumference of the pipe end region.

Advantageously, the slot of the pipe end region or each of the slots of the pipe end region passes through the wall of the pipe and / or pipe end region. This is to be understood in particular as meaning that the slot of the pipe end region or of each of the slots of the pipe end region extends in the radial direction through the wall of the pipe and / or pipe end region. This facilitates compression of the slot of the pipe end portion or the slots of the pipe end portion due to the clamping force applied by the clamping means. Further, the slot of the

Pipe end or each of the slots of the pipe end region preferably at its the actuating surface facing axial end open. This also facilitates

Squeezing the slot of the pipe end or the slots of the

Pipe end region due to the clamping force applied by the clamping means. The tube is preferably made of metal, in particular of steel. The clamping means may form an integral part of the Rohrendbereichs. Alternatively, the clamping means may form a separate component. Preferably, the clamping means comprises a, in particular on the outer circumference of the Rohrendbereichs fixed, clamp or is formed by them. As a result, the invention can be easily transferred to existing solutions, since in existing solutions a clamp is often used as a clamping means. The clamp surrounds in particular the pipe end of the pipe, preferably at least partially. Advantageously, the clamping means and / or the clamp presses the

Pipe end area together. Preferably, the clamping means and / or the presses

Clamp the Rohrendbereich against the outer peripheral surface of the Justierhülse, which in turn presses against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft.

The adjusting sleeve preferably has an external thread, which is in particular a common external thread in the first direction of rotation. Furthermore, the adjustment sleeve is preferably made of metal, in particular of steel.

The adjustment sleeve may have a plurality of slots. In this case, each of the slots of the adjusting sleeve preferably runs meandering or sinusoidally in the axial direction and is open at its axial end facing away from the actuating region. The slots of the adjusting sleeve are, in particular, separate slots. However, the adjustment sleeve preferably has only one or exactly one slot. As a result, manufacturing costs can be saved.

The shank preferably has an external thread, which is in particular a common external thread in the second direction of rotation. The shank is preferably made of metal, in particular of steel.

The joint preferably has a joint housing. In particular, the shaft is fixed, preferably rigid, connected to the joint housing and / or forms part of the same. The joint housing is preferably made of metal, in particular steel. Advantageously, an inner joint part is movably mounted in the joint housing, which is for example a ball pin. The joint is preferably a ball joint. The inner joint part is preferably connected to a first vehicle component, and the pipe is preferably connected at its end remote from the pipe end region and / or at a distance from the pipe end region with a second vehicle component. The first vehicle component is preferably one

Suspension component of or of a vehicle. For example, the first vehicle component is or comprises a wheel carrier or steering knuckle. The second vehicle component is preferably a suspension component or a component of the steering or the vehicle body or of the vehicle.

For example, the second vehicle component is or comprises a joint.

The invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments

Referring to the drawings. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a track or handlebar according to a first

embodiment,

2 is an end view of the apparent from Fig. 1 tube in a detail view,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the apparent from Fig. 1 adjusting sleeve in

Individual presentation and

4 is a perspective view of an adjustment sleeve according to a second

Embodiment.

From Fig. 1 is a side view of a track or handlebar 1 according to a first embodiment can be seen, comprising a tube 2 with a Rohrendbereich 3, in which three in an axial direction x rectilinear slots 4 are provided, which the wall 5 of the tube 2 enforce and the axial end of the tube 2 are open. Furthermore, the tube 2 tapers in a transition region 6 towards its tube end region 3. The slots 4 are each offset by 120 ° to each other, which is apparent from Fig. 2, which shows an end view of the tube 2 in an individual representation.

The Rohrendbereich 3 has a common in a first direction of rotation 25 internal thread 7, in which an adjusting sleeve 8 is screwed, the one to the

Internal thread 7 matching external thread 9 has. Furthermore, the adjustment sleeve 8 a in a direction opposite to the first rotational direction 25 second rotational direction 26 common internal thread 10, which is apparent from Fig. 3, which shows a perspective view of the adjusting sleeve 8 in an individual view. In the adjustment sleeve 8 is a shaft

1 1 of a joint housing 12 is screwed, which has a matching to the internal thread 10 external thread 13. The threads 7 and 9 each form

Left-hand thread, whereas the threads 10 and 13 each form a right-hand thread. Alternatively, it is possible that the threads 7 and 9 each form a right-hand thread, whereas the threads 10 and 13 each form a left-hand thread.

The joint housing 12 is part of a joint 14, which in the joint housing

Has 12 movably mounted and extending out of this inner joint part 15. The joint 14 is here in particular a ball joint, so that the

Inner joint part 15 is a ball pin in particular.

The adjustment sleeve 8 has an actuating region 16 in the form of a polygonal key surface arranged outside the tube 3, to which a tool, such as e.g. an open-end wrench, can attack. By means of the tool, the adjusting sleeve 8 can be rotated about its axis x running in the axial direction x central longitudinal axis 17, which simultaneously forms the central longitudinal axis of the pipe end portion 3 and the central longitudinal axis of the shaft 1 1. Due to the different directions of rotation of the thread, rotation of the adjusting sleeve 8 about the central longitudinal axis 17 relative to the tube 2 and to the shaft 1 1 results in an axial displacement movement of the tube 2 relative to the joint 14.

In the adjusting sleeve, a slot 18 is provided, which passes through the wall 19 of the adjusting sleeve 8 and to its the actuating portion 1 6 facing away from the axial end is open. The slot 18 runs in the axial direction x meandering or sinusoidal and thus has several in the axial direction x one behind the other arcuate

Sections 20, 21 and 22, wherein the two immediately adjacent portions 20 and 21 are curved opposite to each other. Further, the two immediately adjacent portions 21 and 22 are curved opposite to each other. The arcuate sections in each case cover approximately one-eighth of the circumference of the adjusting sleeve 8, so that the slot 18 sweeps over approximately one quarter of the circumference of the adjusting sleeve 8. On the Rohrendbereich 3 a clamping means 23 is placed in the form of a clamp, which or which by means of a screw 24 against the

Outer circumference of the pipe end portion 3 is pressed. The Rohrendbereich 3 in turn presses against the outer periphery of the adjusting sleeve 8, which in turn presses against the outer periphery of the shaft 1 1. As a result, the pipe end region 3, the adjusting sleeve 8 and the shaft 1 1 are frictionally secured together. Before turning the adjusting sleeve 8 to achieve the above-mentioned axial

Adjusting the clamping means 23 must therefore be first solved, which is done by loosening or loosening the screw 24.

4, an adjusting sleeve 8 of a track or handlebar according to a second embodiment can be seen, wherein identical or similar features to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the slot 18 of the adjusting sleeve 8 at its two axial ends is open and thus extends in the axial direction x through the actuating portion 1 6 therethrough. Apart from these differences, the second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, so for further description of the second embodiment, reference is made to the description of the first embodiment. In particular, the adjustment sleeve according to the second embodiment can replace the adjustment sleeve according to the first embodiment.

Description of track or handlebar

pipe

pipe end

Slot in pipe end area

Wall of the pipe

Transition region of the pipe

Internal thread of the pipe end area

adjustment sleeve

External thread of the adjusting sleeve

Internal thread of the adjustment sleeve

Shaft of the joint housing

joint housing

Outer thread of the shaft

joint

Inner race

Operating area / key area of the adjustment sleeve

central longitudinal axis

Slot of the adjustment sleeve

Wall of the adjusting sleeve

arcuate portion of the slot of the adjusting sleeve arcuate portion of the slot of the adjusting sleeve arcuate portion of the slot of the adjusting sleeve

Clamping means / clamp

Screw connection of the clamp

first direction of rotation

second direction of rotation (opposite to the first direction of rotation) axial direction

Claims

claims

1 . Track or handlebar for a vehicle, with a tube (2), which in a in an axial direction (x) extending Rohrendbereich (3) in a first direction common internal thread (7) and at least one in the axial direction (x) extending slot (4), one in the Rohrendbereich (3) of the tube (2) and screwed out of this with an actuating portion (1 6) out extending Justierhülse (8), which in one of the first direction of rotation

opposite second direction of rotation common internal thread (10) and at least one in the axial direction (x) extending slot (18), which is at least partially disposed in the tube (2), a joint (14) having an axial shaft (1 1) and with this in the adjusting sleeve (8) is screwed, so that by rotating the adjusting sleeve (8) relative to the tube (2) and the shaft (1 1) an axial displacement movement of the tube (2) relative to the joint (14 ), and by means of which the pipe end region (3) is pressed against the outer circumference of the shaft (11) with the interposition of the adjusting sleeve (8), so that the pipe (2), the adjustment sleeve (8) and the shaft (1 1) are fixed relative to each other in position, characterized

in that the slot (18) of the adjusting sleeve (8) runs meandering or sinusoidally in the axial direction (x) and is open at its axial end facing away from the actuating region (16).

2. track or handlebar according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two in the axial direction (x) adjacent and oppositely curved arcuate portions (10, 21) of the slot (18) of the adjusting sleeve (8) in each case at least one-eighth of the circumference coat the adjustment sleeve (8).

3. track or handlebar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slot (18) of the adjusting sleeve (8) passes through the wall (19) of the adjusting sleeve.

4. track or handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (18) of the adjusting sleeve (8) at its the

Operating range (1 6) facing the axial end is closed.

5. track or handlebar according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the slot (18) of the adjusting sleeve (8) is open at its two axial ends.

6. track or handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting sleeve (8) at its actuating region (1 6) has a non-circular key surface.

7. track or handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (4) of the pipe end region (3) in the axial direction (x) extends straight.

8. track or handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (4) of the Rohrendbereichs (3) passes through the wall (5) of the tube (2) and at its the actuating surface (1 6) facing the axial end open is.

9. track or handlebar according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping means (23) has a on the outer circumference of the

Pipe end region (3) fixed clamp.